Rabbit Trap Like a Torture Chamber

[gun sane]

I live in the city limits so there's little I can do about some pesky rabbits that have taken a liking to our neighborhood.  I bought one of the Havahart trap clones at Tractor Supply recently in hopes to capture and transport them to the county woods.  Lo and behold, I caught my first victim today....and I do mean victim.  After the trap slammed shut, the cottontail started thrashing around and caught a leg between the trigger plate and the cage.  I heard him squealing and found he had turned the trap completely upside down.  It was only after I drove to the release location that I saw that the leg was broken.  It took a good five minutes to get the bunny out.  Sorry I hadn't taken my .22 revolver along to put it out of its misery.  I guess I could have bashed its brains out with the trap, but my wife was taking the experience hard enough anyway.  As it limped away, we just consigned the creature back to its merciful Creator.  Since we have at least two more to go, does anyone have any suggestions as to make the contraption safer?

[Alleycat72]

I've trapped a dozens of animals with various types of traps and my have a hart is by far the most gentle. It's also the least productive. Anytime you have a panicking animal, you going to have injures. What are the rabbits doing that's bothering you? Are you aware of the laws when it comes to transporting live wild animals? 

[Alleycat72]

https://www.tn.gov/twra/law-enforcement/wildlife-damage-control.html#:~:text=Because of illness and disease,is NOT a free service.

 

[Darrell]

You might try anchoring the trap when you reset it, so that it can't be overturned. I've used those traps for catch and release, and never had any trouble. Well, ONCE I had some trouble when I caught a pole cat. That was a surprise!

[gun sane]

4 hours ago, Alleycat72 said:

What are the rabbits doing that's bothering you? Are you aware of the laws when it comes to transporting live wild animals? 

About two years ago, a rental neighbor kept a hutch but "donated" his rabbits to the neighborhood when he moved out.  Soon we had as many as fourteen domesticated bunnies visiting houses within a block area.  Some thought they were cute and happily fed them, but those who cultivated flowers and expensive plants, including me, saw them as vermin.  They left their pellets on walkways, dug nest holes in the garden, nibbled on the plants and shed fur on patio furniture.  We live just inside the city limits so our choices are limited as to controlling them.  Rabbit repellent is expensive and only lasts a few days.  The city Animal Control Department with few personnel has a low priority for wrangling strays and can only pick them up when the bunnies are present on the property.

The rabbit we trapped was a wild cottontail which was no doubt attracted to the domesticated beauties which copulate like porn stars.  I wasn't aware of the catch and release laws, but I do know that firing a bullet or pellet within city limits will make me a bigger threat to the neighbors than the pointy-eared nuisances.  Given this knowledge, I suppose my best course of action would be to trap the rabbits, leave them in the cage for Animal Control and plead for mercy if they bring out their citation book.

 

Edited May 9 by gun sane

[Grayfox54]

Contact local animal control and explain they're a nuisance. let them deal with the rabbits. 

[pop pop]

I had a squirrel problem and called them. They would not come but told me to call TWRA. I did and they told me, at that time to kill them and feed them to the local varmints if hunting season was not open and they were being a nuisance. Them suckers cost me over 3,000.00 in one year. I took control and thinned them out.  

[mikegideon]

I have a Crosman full auto BB gun with an Eotech and light for yard critters. I can't use a real AR in my neighborhood. I'm pretty sure it will take out a rabbit in one burst if you're close enough. 

[gun sane]

That's a powerful setup, @mikegideon but here's Maryville's take on it:

11-601. Air rifles, etc. It shall be unlawful for any person in the municipality to discharge any air gun, air pistol, air rifle, "BB" gun, or sling shot capable of discharging a metal bullet or pellet, whether propelled by spring, compressed air, expanding gas, explosive, or other force-producing means or method. (1985 Code, § 10-213).

I suppose most of my neighbors wouldn't care, but there's always one PETA Karen with a cell phone around.

Edited May 9 by gun sane

[gun sane]

An officer with Maryville Animal Control told me he wouldn't rat me out if I trapped them and hauled them to the woods myself.    Or, I could call them when a caught one but would have to wait until they got there--maybe that day.  The rabbit's care would be my responsibility until they showed up, of course.  He said all they would do is kill them afterwards as they're not in the business of finding foster homes.  Looks like my most expedient option is an off-road in the dark woods.

[mikegideon]

2 hours ago, gun sane said:

That's a powerful setup, @mikegideon but here's Maryville's take on it:

11-601. Air rifles, etc. It shall be unlawful for any person in the municipality to discharge any air gun, air pistol, air rifle, "BB" gun, or sling shot capable of discharging a metal bullet or pellet, whether propelled by spring, compressed air, expanding gas, explosive, or other force-producing means or method. (1985 Code, § 10-213).

I suppose most of my neighbors wouldn't care, but there's always one PETA Karen with a cell phone around.

But, you can poop on the sidewalk :-).